Saguaro National Park Planning

East or West?

Saguaro West, also known as the Tucson Mountain District, is the smaller, more-visited section of the park. Here you'll find a Native American video orientation to saguaros at the visitor center, hiking trails, an ancient Hohokam petroglyph site at Signal Hill, and a scenic drive through the park's densest desert growth.

Saguaro East, also known as the Rincon Mountain District, is on the eastern side of Tucson in the Rincon Mountains, and encompasses 57,930 acres of designated wilderness, an easily accessible scenic loop drive, several easy and intermediate trails through the cactus forest, and opportunities for adventure and backcountry camping at six rustic campgrounds.

Also in the East part of the park is the Rincon Valley Area, a 4,011-acre expansion along the southern border of Saguaro's Rincon Mountain District with access to the area along Rincon Creek. The backcountry Saguaro Wilderness Area moves from desert scrublands at 3,000 feet to mixed conifer forests at 9,000 feet.

In One Day

Before setting off, choose which section of the park to visit and pack a lunch. Bring plenty of water -- you can't depend on finding it in the park.

In the western section, start out by watching the 15-minute slide show at the Red Hills Visitor Center, then stroll along the 1/2-mi-long Desert Discovery Trail.

In the car, head north along Kinney Road, then turn right onto the graded dirt Bajada Loop Drive. Before long you'll soon see a turnoff for the Hugh Norris Trail on your right. Hike up and after about 45 minutes, you'll reach a perfect spot for a picnic. Hike back down and drive along the Bajada Loop Drive until you reach the turnoff for Signal Hill. From here, it's a short walk to the Hohokam petroglyphs.

Alternatively, in the eastern section, pick up a free map of the hiking trails at the Saguaro East Visitor Center. Drive south along the paved Cactus Forest Drive to the Javelina picnic area, where you'll see signs for the Freeman Homestead Trail, an easy 1-mi loop that winds through a stand of mesquite as interpretive signs describe early inhabitants in the Tucson basin. If you're reasonably fit you might want to tackle part of the Tanque Verde Ridge Trail, which affords excellent views of saguaro-studded hillsides.

Along the northern loop of the Cactus Forest Drive is Cactus Forest Trail, which branches off into several fairly level paths. You can easily spend the rest of the afternoon strolling among the saguaro.

Public restrooms are available at the visitor centers and at all picnic areas in both sections.